Vacation Preparedness Plan for your tropical getaway.
— Soft Services newsletter
Reminders and tips with timestamps ahead of your reveal.
For students, Spring Break is normally mid-March though the itch to get away and get some sun is most certainly universal . This is our Vacation Preparedness Plan to help you hard launch your soft reveal on your next getaway. Making sure all your skincare prep and other vacation-related tasks are squared away before departure means a stress-free trip ahead.
✓ Get back on track: If you’ve fallen off with your normal body care routine (especially exfoliating), now’s the time to get back on track. Leaving for your trip at your smoothest and softest possible state will ease any “maintenance work” during the trip. ✓ Self-tan: Review our in-depth guide on getting the most even self-tan and plan ahead for any prep you’ll need to do prior to actually applying self-tanner.
✓ Laundry: Wash everything now so that when you start packing and planning outfits, all your options are laid out and are ready to be put away into your suitcase. ✓ E-juice: If traveling internationally, double check if you’ll need an adapter or converter for your electronics. You’ll need to keep your devices charged so you can post pics on Instagram—we want to live vicariously through you and feel like we’re there with you.
✓ Travel essentials: Pick up any travel essentials you’ll need. Full-sized Buffing Bar and Smoothing Solution both meet travel requirements, though if you’d like to also bring along Speed Soak, opt for the Bestsellers Discovery Set available only at Sephora, which includes minis of all 3 products. ✓ PSA for waxing: Stop using Smoothing Solution a week prior to your waxing appointment.
AHAs such as lactic acid can increase skin sensitivity and since waxing is a form of exfoliation on its own, using Smoothing Solution in tandem may result in an adverse reaction such as irritation, a rash or a burn. For advice on when to resume use after your appointment, consult with your waxer, though wait a few days as a baseline.
✓ Mani-Pedi: Get your appointment scheduled and pick the colors and/or design that’ll match the vibes of your trip, or go the minimal route and stick to au naturelle. During your appointment, check out our email guide on “ swimming responsibly ” where we interviewed celeb-aesthetician, Sofie Pavitt. ✓ Pack: Self-explanatory! ✓ Stay on track: Keep up with your skin maintenance routine! It’s almost time.
✓ Entertainment: Download any shows and movies you’ll want to occupy yourself with when en route. Also check out Soft Services Radio on Spotify. ✓ Hair removal efforts via shaving: Use a generous coat of Comfort Cleanse (don’t create a lather, just swipe it on) as a shaving lubricant. Follow-up with Smoothing Solution as a post-shave treatment to keep ingrown hairs and strawberry skin at bay.
Seal in moisture with a layer of body moisturizer, such as Speed Soak or Carea Cream . Use Buffing Bar the night before you plan on shaving—physical exfoliation can cause the skin to slightly swell, which won’t allow for the closest possible shave. Use a physical exfoliant the night before to avoid this. ✓ Au revóir: Finish packing! Make sure you got everything but don’t overstuff your bag.
You can always pick up essentials when you get there—plus, you’ll need room for souvenirs. Weigh your suitcase to make sure you’re following your airlines baggage guidelines and avoid paying overweight fees. The work is done, time to relax and soak in all the leisure you’ve been craving. We’ll part with a few last pointers. Protecting your skin from the sun is a non-negotiable. Be sure to use at least an SPF 30 when out in the sun and reapply every 2 hours.
Speed Soak is a star in tropical settings, pop it into your hotel’s mini fridge or your ice bucket poolside—it feels cooling during application, absorbs quickly, and imparts blissful comfort on any sunburns you might get. Tag us on Instagram @softservices if you decide to share your vacation prep body routine or your soft reveal of the season. If you don’t currently have a trip on the horizon, earmark this for the right time—feel like you need a copy?
We made a print-friendly version that’ll be easy for you to checklist on-the-go. I want to print this! Bon voyage! Shop Soft Services
Tags: Guides, Ingrown Hair, Strawberry Skin, Comfort Cleanse, Smoothing Solution, Carea Cream, Buffing Bar — Original